# NTSB ERA15LA077: Thomas R Wade Revelation, N783QJ, Ellisville, MS, December 13, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 13, 2014, 14:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: Ellisville, MS - Coordinates: 31.607778, -89.197776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6078&lon=-89.1978&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90499 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90499/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90499 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA077 ## Probable cause The failure of the uncertified engine's front connecting rod needle bearing, which resulted in damage to the front piston and a subsequent loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane with the uncertified engine over a town that had no suitable area to land. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas R Wade REVELATION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=056324C), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Thomas R Wade REVELATION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=056324C), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Thomas R Wade REVELATION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=056324C), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas R Wade REVELATION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=056324C), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Thomas R Wade REVELATION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=056324C), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Thomas R Wade REVELATION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056324C), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Thomas R Wade REVELATION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056324C), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Thomas R Wade REVELATION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056324C), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, while in cruise flight over a town, the engine lost total power. During the forced landing to a cemetery, the airplane's left wing struck a tree, and the airplane then veered left and impacted a tombstone and nosed over. The pilot further reported that the fuel tank was about 3/4 full when the engine lost power. Examination of the engine revealed that the front connecting rod needle bearing had failed, which resulted in damage to the front piston and led to the loss of engine power. The engine manufacturer's instruction and maintenance manual warned that the engine was uncertified and that it was "subject to sudden failure." The manual further warned to "never use an aircraft fitted with this engine in areas, conditions and altitudes that may cause problems if forced to land as a result of sudden engine failure." The pilot should not have operated the airplane with the uncertified engine over a town that had no suitable place to land in the event of an engine failure. ## Factual narrative On December 13, 2014, about 1440 central standard time, an experimental, amateur-built Wade Revelation, N783QJ, was substantially damaged during a forced landed following a total loss of engine power near Ellisville, Mississippi. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that departed from Hesler-Nobel Field (LUL), Laurel, Mississippi about 1425. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.The pilot reported that he was in cruise flight, over a town, with the engine set at 75 percent power, the engine made a "little skip." He immediately turned the airplane in the direction of the airport; however, the engine subsequently lost all power. The only clear area to land was a road running through a cemetery. While on approach to the road, the left wing struck a tree, the airplane veered to the left, and subsequently impacted a tombstone and nosed over. He further reported that the airplane's fuel tank was approximately three-fourths full when the engine ceased operation. Initial examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that a longeron was substantially damaged and the engine would partially rotate through one revolution and then seize. During manual operation of the engine, a "metallic scraping" was audibly observed. The spark plugs were removed and one spark plug was "really dry." The fuel/oil mixture was examined and appeared normal in color. During a follow-on engine examination by the FAA inspector, the front cylinder exhibited scoring on the cylinder wall. The gaps on both spark plugs were closed and "several small" metal pieces were located inside the cylinder. Further examination revealed the front connecting rod needle bearing failed and no overheating of the bearing or cylinder was noted. The two-seat, high-wing, pusher propeller, tube and fabric airplane was powered by a two-stroke Zanzottera MS202 engine. According to the pilot, the engine had accumulated 81 hours total time in service, and 78 hours since its most recent inspection. Examination of the engine's "Instruction and Maintenance Manual" revealed a warning which stated in part, "WARNING, this is not an aeronautic approved engine. This engine has not been subjected to durability and safety tests in compliance with aeronautical standards and is not a certified engine….The user must assume responsibility for all risks deriving from the use of this engine and must understand that this engine is subject to sudden failure…Never use an aircraft fitted with this engine in areas, conditions and altitudes that may cause problems if forced to land as a result of sudden engine failure." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N783QJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N783QJ-2018-03-08), registration cancelled 2018-03-08, S/N RE00/0007, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: THOMAS R WADE REVELATION - Registry model: [Thomas R Wade REVELATION](https://openairdocs.org/model/thomas-r-wade-revelation) (registry code 056324C) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: RE00/0007 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 81 - Engines: ZANZOTTERA MZ202R00872 63 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 9, 2014, 81 hours before - Departed: LUL, LAUREL, MS - Destination: LUL, LAUREL, MS - Airport: LUL, Hesler-Noble Field - Equipment: Airframe parachute, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 10, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,640 total, 81 in this make and model, 2,632 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 7 knots, gusting 15 - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KPIB, 11 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20141213024199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141213024199A), Dec 13, 2014: Thomas R Wade REVELATION, Ellisville, MS, Substantial damage. During cruse flight engine shutdown. Pilot made off field landing. Found engine to be seized. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 23, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90499. 8.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432060&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector’s Emailed Statement (item 2, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432061&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%E2%80%99s%20Emailed%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Engine Manufacturer's Instruction and Maintenance Manual [Excerpt] (item 3, .PDF, 404 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432062&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Manufacturer%27s%20Instruction%20and%20Maintenance%20Manual%20%5BExcerpt%5D-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Pine Belt Weather (item 4, .PDF, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432063&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Pine%20Belt%20Weather-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Main Wreckage From the Right (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432064&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Main%20Wreckage%20From%20the%20Right%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Airplane Engine and Propeller (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432065&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%20Engine%20and%20Propeller%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.